(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN — UNFPA's programmes in Jordan's refugee camps and host communities will not be affected by the recent US decision to withhold funds from the UN agency for the second consecutive year, UNFPA representative in Jordan Laila Baker said.
However, the aid cut will impact the support that the agency provides to build the capacities of governmental entities and local NGOs addressing the needs of vulnerable Jordanians, Baker told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.
'This time, we are well prepared as we have received great attention and support from like-minded member states such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium in order to support our programmes in humanitarian settings,' Baker said, noting that 'the decision to withhold funds will however impact our regular financing, creating an imbalance on the services we provide'.
'Vulnerable Jordanians need to be supported as much as refugees, but we are struggling in this matter,' the official continued, noting that UNFPA's regular funds in Jordan are aimed at building the capacities of the ministries of health and social development and local NGOs to fight issues of child marriage and strengthen capacities for family planning.
Earlier this month, the UNFPA Arab States Regional Office released a statement saying 'this unfortunate decision will impede UNFPA's crucial work to protect the health and lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls around the globe,' expressing hopes for the US to 'reconsider its position'.
'In light of the US decision to withhold funding once again, UNFPA is grateful to donor countries that have increased their contributions to sustain the life-saving services we provide,' the statement continued.
'This is not the first time that UNFPA has had its funds withheld by the US,' Baker stressed, noting that several regulations allow the country to defund international agencies when they are considered to be involved with reproductive health services.
'UNFPA is not necessarily implicated with this role yet it is still being used for the agency to be systematically defunded,' the official criticised, stressing that 'this decision was not based on any evidence.'
In addition, Baker highlighted the 'political push back' that the decision triggered, explaining that 'the US is considered to be one of the most powerful countries around the globe, and their decision caused the impression that our agenda was open for discussion again even though we were already working on it'.
She noted the difficulties in negotiating with Jordanian stakeholders after the US decision, pointing out that 'Jordan has always been a model and a pillar for UNFPA in the Middle East but, suddenly, several partners started raising concerns over the meaning of sexual and reproductive health, thinking it could be culturally inappropriate'.
Baker thanked the Jordanian government for its 'openness to dialogue and the trust in UNFPA over the past 45 years', stressing that the Jordanian support is 'key' for the agency to continue to work in an agenda that is 'mutually beneficial'.
'The defunding has been significant for us and it sets new challenges, but we still honour our commitment to Jordan," Baker concluded, stressing that 'UNFPA relies on Jordanian staff to implement its programmes in the Kingdom, making it one of the most cost effective agencies in the country'.
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